Januvia and Joint Pain: What Users Say

• Lau...
• April 9, 2012

For Type 2 Diabetes "On 100 mg daily for almost 2 years and could hardly walk, lay, or sit anymore. EXTREME joint pain, increasing monthly. Sent to arthritis doctor and ortho with no relief, only more pills. I researched online and found others with the same problem. Took myself off Januvia and joint pain is GONE! I can walk again!"

• Tam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started taking Januvia with Metformin, and blood sugars normalized. Unfortunately, I started having severe joint pain in my shoulders, hands, hips, and back, as well as pain in my arm and leg muscles. I’m going to contact my doctor and stop the Januvia. The pain is excruciating!"

• Pic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 5, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "My doctor switched me to Januvia last year because I couldn't get past the side effect of diarrhea from metformin. It didn't change my A1C much, but I had zero side effects. 6 months ago I developed 'frozen shoulder'. The pain in my shoulder is excruciating and I lost mobility in that arm. I went to my doctor twice complaining of this joint pain. She sent me to physical therapy which didn't help. 5 days ago I stopped taking Januvia after reading side effects. My shoulder pain is going away. Very disappointed in my doctor."

• per...
• January 12, 2008

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Januvia for three weeks. My blood sugar has been great. What a big change from Amaryl! And I've lost 5 lbs in these 3 weeks, a side benefit. I have read a scary blog on this drug though, that causes me to be a bit worried. They mention something called Stevens-Johnson syndrome, some are complaining with really bad joint pain, some with really bad acne, and skin infections. Hope they don't come in a few months from now and recall it like they have others in the past."

• Pay...
• January 25, 2008

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Januvia for almost a month. My blood sugars run in the 90s, but my appetite has increased, and I crave sweets. I have gained 4 pounds and am experiencing all-over joint pains and muscle aches."

• Gab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "After a bad case of shingles, my feet were giving me a lot of problems. Felt like I was walking on stones. My doctor said my sugar was elevated and prescribed Januvia 50 mg for type 2 diabetes. I had changed my diet drastically. No wheat, pasta, rice, breads, cakes, potatoes, and counted my carbs, ate more protein, vegetables, and fruit. I was on Januvia for one week when I started getting joint and muscle pain very bad. I couldn’t sleep three nights in a row because of bad pain in my body. Back pain, shoulders, legs, and my feet got worse. I took myself off and called the doctor’s office to tell them my problem with Januvia. It’s now two weeks I’m off it, and my pain went away, my feet are back to where they were from nerve problems from shingles. I don’t want to go on another medication until I get blood work in two weeks just to see if my drastic diet change has changed my readings. I’ll never go on Januvia again."

• Ozz...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 6, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "If I would be more compliant with my diet and exercise regimen, Januvia would help me stay under 6. No noticeable side effects, although after reading other reviews, possibly the lack of sleep might be attributed to it. I had some joint pain but I take CoQ10 and that made it go away. Not sure if that was from Januvia or the statins. Overall, I like it. Can't wait until, with better compliance, I can come off these costly medicines."

• Bag...
• September 20, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "Took Januvia for two months and started to get joint pain, which got so severe I could hardly walk. I have been off it for one week but still have pain in my legs, especially the right. Would never recommend this drug to anyone, the side effects are really bad. The medication is expensive."

• Asu...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 9, 2025

For Type 2 Diabetes "I am taking Januvia and I feel good since I was taking Metformin. Metformin was very bad on me, I feel depressed and sick. Januvia was different. It's been almost 3 or 4 years, but suddenly I feel pain in my joints, my head feels like it's flying, I cannot explain. People with Metformin, friends are facing panic attacks, they are depressed. I believe all this kind of medication is hard on the brain and the body. Unfortunately, the diabetic situation is not good. Life expectancy is short. I am 54, and I feel like the diabetic condition or the medication side effects are going to kill us softly."

• Liz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "A few months on Januvia, it did help stabilize sugars, and I lost a few pounds. HOWEVER, I developed severe, debilitating joint pain that was unbearable. Going off of it immediately, and the pain is gone. Horrible drug."

• T2d...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 15, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "Been taking Januvia for 7 months, blood glucose was 26. I take 1000 Metformin at night, 34 units of insulin in the morning with Januvia. With exercise, my blood glucose is now between 4.4 and 7.8. 4.4 if I exercise but goes up once I eat. My joint pain side effects are excruciating at night, in shins, knee, and fingers. I have ceased taking Januvia a few times for 4 days to a week, and the joint pain stopped, but I always continued. It has helped my swollen legs and helped me in other ways. My joint pain is terrible tonight. I rub peppermint oil on my legs or Difflam cream and take paracetamol rapid. Sometimes it doesn't help, so I cease taking the tablet to stop the pain, only for a few days. I take Metamucil for the runs and cut back on veggies and eat superfoods instead."

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "Horrible drug - severe joint pain. Had to use a walker for mobility after taking this drug for two weeks. After a month, I stopped it, and the joint pain disappeared."